airplane in MS Flight Simulator 2020
By Matt Thomas Software • 0 Comments

The Latest in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Flight simulator enthusiasts, rejoice! Let’s take a look at the current status of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and what the future holds for this beloved flight simulation experience.

A World of Realism:

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 continues to captivate hobbyists with its unparalleled realism. From stunningly detailed aircraft to breathtaking, true-to-life landscapes, the level of immersion is unmatched. Thanks to regular updates and improvements, the experience keeps getting better. One of the notable achievements of Flight Simulator is its optimization. Over time, developers have fine-tuned the performance, making it accessible to a broader range of PCs. This means more enthusiasts can take to the virtual skies without investing in high-end hardware.

Enhanced Graphics and Realism:

Visuals have always been a strong suit of this flight simulator, and the developers keep pushing the boundaries. With the inclusion of DirectX 12 and cutting-edge technology, the graphics are crisper and more realistic than ever before, ensuring an immersive flying experience. The team behind Microsoft Flight Simulator is committed to delivering regular updates. These updates not only improve performance but also introduce new features, aircraft, and airports. Stay tuned for upcoming updates that promise to enhance your simulation experience further.

Community Engagement:

MS Flight Simulator has a vibrant community that contributes to its growth. The marketplace is bustling with user-generated content, from liveries to mods, to DIY flight simulators, allowing hobbyists to personalize their experience extensively.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 remains at the forefront of flight simulation. With ongoing improvements, enhanced performance, and an engaged community, it’s a haven for aviation enthusiasts. So, if you haven’t taken to the virtual skies recently, now is the perfect time to rediscover the magic of MS Flight Simulator and explore its ever-evolving world.

Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or a newcomer, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 continues to provide an incredibly authentic and enjoyable experience for flight simulation hobbyists.

Logitech Saitek X52 Spring Mod
By Matt Thomas Hacks and Modifications • Hardware • • • • 1 Comment

Logitech Saitek X52 Joystick Spring Modification

I was so excited to receive my new X52 Pro HOTAS joystick and throttle, but then I discovered they just don’t make them like they used to. So I bought the Logitech Saitek X52 Joystick Spring Modification kit from Ebay.

Why Use the Logitech Saitek X52 Joystick Spring Modification?

I bought a brand new X52 Pro joystick and discovered it is way too loose in the center of the joystick travel where the spring tension is the weakest. The weak spring tension causes the pilot to overshoot control inputs right where they need to make precise adjustments. Fortunately, TerraVestra’s Spring Plate kit was the remedy I needed. The kit is inexpensive, 3D printed, easy to install, and made in the USA.

How to Install the Logitech Saitek X52 Joystick Spring Mod

The kit includes four spacers of different widths that correspond to four different spring tensions. I used the 5mm wide spacer, which is the widest. If you need more spring tension than that, you can also stack the spacers on top of each other. The spacers fit on both the Logitech X52 and the X52 Pro. The manufacturer includes a handy installation tool. Bonus: this does not void the warranty and you don’t have to disassemble anything.

Here is the installation video, which is also available on their Ebay listing.

Let’s Go Flying!

The increased spring tension helps a lot! The spacer pushes down on the spring which increases tension between the spring plate and the joystick housing. But the increased tension also brings increased friction. I easily remedied this by applying a thin coat of bearing grease to the bottom of the spring plate (see picture). If you don’t have bearing grease, try lithium grease. Lithium grease is probably better for plastic anyway.

Apply grease under spring plate
Apply grease under spring plate
Logitech flight sim hardware
By Matt Thomas Hardware • Uncategorized • • 0 Comments

Flight Sim Hardware is More Affordable Than Ever!

I’m truly excited about how affordable it is to build a home flight simulator. If you are in the market for flight sim hardware like a joystick, yoke, rudder pedals, throttle quadrant, etc. now could be your time to buy. For example, the Logitech G X52 Pro HOTAS joystick and throttle is just $199 now on Amazon. Don’t forget to modify your X52 throttle to get rid of that pesky detent with this handy DIY Flight Sims tutorial (free) https://youtu.be/3TrDCO-FMBI

joystick and throttle flight sim hardware
Logitech G X52 Pro

Not to mention the many choices we have today for flight simulator controls. I remember trying to hack and modify the old CH Products rudder pedals simply because they were the only ones on the market. I eventually ended up buying better rudder pedals from an obscure German manufacturer.

Eye-Popping Displays

Your display is an important part of your flight sim hardware. The options we have for displays today are a thousand times better than what was available when I built my first home flight simulator in 2004. Back then, to get any sort of immersion your only choice was to use a big projected screen. A LCD projector cost about $1000 in 2004, and that’s the equivalent of $1600 today. However, the projectors of the time were only 640×480 resolution! Today, you can get a 75″ 4K TV for $550 at Best Buy.

In addition, all graphics cards now support multiple displays, but that was unheard of back in 2004. Back then, you had to have a special external video card and adapters to run a triple display.

large TV
75″ 4K UHD TV

Lighting Fast Computers

And what about computers? The long-awaited crypto crash finally came last year, and soon after the prices for graphics cards finally came down to reasonable levels. I was so happy about the price of my new computer I added something extra… an extended warranty from Microcenter.